The 2016 October Horror Marathon

[Nemoide]

Last night I watched Cannibal Holocaust for the first time ever, got the disc from the public library.
Definitely disturbing: I can't really condone the actual killing of animals for cinematic effect but it definitely DOES have a strong effect and it's not like I haven't seen other films that killed animals. Hell, I think Snow Buddies went through a horrifyingly large number of puppies during its shooting, at least Cannibal Holocaust presents it as something horrific and intense rather than masking it as family entertainment. It's an interesting film though: it starts by perpetuating some terrible stereotypes about Native American cultures (I'm fairly certain there are no cannibals in the Amazon) but then successfully makes the white Americans look far worse.
The self-critical angle of the film is one of its greatest strengths. But in the end, it has too much of the same kind of sensationalist exploitation it criticizes. I would have loved it a decade ago but now I feel like it's too much of an "edgelord" thing.

I wouldn't say I liked it but I'm glad I saw it. I'll probably never watch it again.

[Xeogred]

Nice, sounds like the Scream sequels aren't too shabby. Expectations aren't high but if they're fun that's all I need.

The first movie is incredible. One of my fav slashers of all time.

Second is... good. Pokes fun at sequels, sort of nods that it knows it's part of a planned trilogy. Nothing special really. But fun.

Third is mostly a bad movie except it has a sort of self-awareness even beyond the first two and plays with a movie-within-a-movie premise.

Fourth is fucking amazing and is almost ALMOST on par with the first.

That said, they are all worth seeing in order of release to fully enjoy the series I think.

I'm a big fan of Craven's Elm Street movies and love the self aware thing, so that sounds like a plus to me. I'm a sucker for slashers, but the 80's charm is what makes a lot of the older ones magical. 90's doesn't have as good as a vibe... but yeah I'll hit these up!

[Jagosaurus]

I always personally thought the 3rd was a nod at Macbeth, being a play within a play. Same with his New Nightmare film.

Spoiler talk about the 1st Scream as it relates to the release:

They showed Drew Barrymore in the trailers, and she was big at the time. It was a huge surprise to see her get killed off in the opening scene. You're instinctively thinking it'll be a close call, then she's gone. Really sets the tone for the movie that it's going to be different. I remember reading she was offered the role of Sidney or at least entertained the idea, but decided to make a memorable opening scene. Worked!

[Xeogred]

I always root for the killer in slashers.

Wasn't Scream 1 the one with the garage door death? haha.

So what do you guys make of The Hills Have Eyes? For Craven oldies, I thought The Last House on the Left was unbearable. It's safe to say I'm not a fan of the weird rapey/violent exploitation genre. No thanks. The Serpent and the Rainbow wasn't that good to me either, I watched it last year and frankly can't remember anything about it already other than Bill Pullman's acting being hilarious goofy.

The People Under the Stairs was a fun one though, I can definitely recommend it. I love a good movie that fully utilizes only about one main setting too, which this does. So if you guys want some lesser known Craven, I say give this one a look.

[noiseredux]

Xeo my thoughts on nearly every Craven film are on this page: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... tart=18760

[Jagosaurus]

I watched the Last House on the Left remake & it was well done but did have the same vibe. Not a fan either. I know the Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007 version) had a very disturbing rape scene that wasn't needed at all IMO. It was just there for shock value. Seems to be a bit of a common theme in the genre I could do without.

On a lighter note, Halloween Wars starts tonight on Food Network. These folks are very talented and it's a fun, family friendly "bake off" type show. We watch the new season each year. An example of the pumpkin carving on the show:

[Xeogred]

That's awesome.

You weren't kidding noise, that has to be everything there haha. I agree on the Red Eye. Was a solid watch but seems a little forgettable. Simple idea that works, but it can only do so much. I love weird plane/hostage situation movies though.

[Jagosaurus]

I always forget Red Eye was Craven. I watched that when it first hit DVD, in a room full of people. Need to check it out again.

[noiseredux]

always glad to spread the word of Craven.

[Nemoide]

Is anyone else a fan of old horror comics? I think I'm going to use this October to set getting through my backlog of issues I've found in dollar-bins as a goal!

TONIGHT'S TALE OF TERROR:
Supernatural Thrillers #11 featuring THE LIVING MUMMY
First some background: the Supernatural Thrillers series started off as Marvel printing adaptations of classic horror stories. I have an issue of The Invisible Man and another of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But the series really came into its own with issue #5, the first original story featuring "The Living Mummy." I have the Living Mummy's first and second appearance but this issue shows the story had been continuing for multiple stories that I don't have. I was generally entertained by this issue's story concerning two shady criminals who are looking to prosper from an Ancient Egyptian artifact but end up being hounded by the Living Mummy; it feels pulpy and more exciting than other mummy stories. But this issue also has problems: not the least of which are two pages that have roughly half-page boxes of narration about the backstory of one of the criminals. I wonder if this was originally two stories that got compressed into one at the last moment.

This isn't Marvel's best horror comic, that title probably goes to Tomb of Dracula, but it's still pretty respectable. I'm reminded of Werewolf by Night in that it shows an attempt at taking an old movie-monster and making them some sort of an action hero. It doesn't entirely work, but it's still fun!